Retired New York Jets quarterback and ESPN NFL analyst Mark Sanchez sounded skeptical of the New England Patriots’ ability to follow the rules.
Sanchez made an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Friday, and he said he didn’t think the Buffalo Bills (10-4) were going to log a win over the Patriots (11-3) at Gillette Stadium on Saturday in Week 16. If the Bills win, they have a chance at taking the AFC East in Week 17. A Patriots’ win would lock up the division — yet again. But Sanchez explained why the home-field advantage is suspiciously significant at Gillette Stadium
“Sounds like this could be a changing of the guard. I’m just not ready to go there yet,” Sanchez said. “My reasoning is — I said in the production meeting — something always happens when you play at Foxborough. The headset goes out the. The tablets don’t work. The pictures –”
His co-host interrupted him to ask if Sanchez was suggesting the Patriots were cheating.
“I would never say they’re cheaters,” Sanchez said. “What do we say Greeny (Mike Greenberg)? They’re on a relentless pursuit of a competitive edge.”
"Something ALWAYS happens when you play at Foxborough."
—@Mark_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/wFNaxqRzS3— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 20, 2019
During his career, Sanchez was 2-6 against the Patriots while completing 60% of his passes for 1,784 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also committed the infamous “Butt Fumble” against the Patriots.
Sanchez’s passive suggestion of rule-bending comes amid an NFL investigation into the Patriots’ videotaping the Cincinnati Bengals sideline during Week 14 from the press box in Cleveland. New England explained it was merely using the footage for a documentary series on the day-to-day work of an advance scout. The team admitted they broke the rules, though noted the mistake was inadvertent. The league is looking into whether the Patriots’ alibi is factual.
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